The OKC Thunder are celebrating their NBA championship title with the release of two documentaries about 'The Oklahoma Standard.' The E60 documentary will premiere on April 26, highlighting the bond between the Thunder and the Oklahoma City community following the 1995 bombing tragedy.
Key points
OKC Thunder are defending their NBA championship title
Two documentaries about 'The Oklahoma Standard' are being released
E60 documentary premieres on April 26 at 10 a.m. on ESPN
The documentary highlights the Thunder's bond with the OKC community
Premiere coincides with the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing
Mentioned in this story
ESPNOklahoma City
Oklahoma StandardAlfred P. Murrah Federal BuildingOKC Thunder
"Two documentaries and one standard," said National Memorial & Museum President and CEO Kari Watkins. "We're thrilled — THRILLED in all caps — to be sharing this story with different audiences, different generations, through different storytellers."
ESPN, through its award-winning storytelling brand E60, will debut a moving new feature documentary "The Oklahoma Standard" at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 26, on ESPN. After its broadcast bow, it will be available for on-demand viewing on the ESPN App.
What is 'The Oklahoma Standard' documentary about?
'The Oklahoma Standard' documentary chronicles the bond between the OKC Thunder and the Oklahoma City community, particularly in the aftermath of the 1995 bombing.
When does the E60 documentary on 'The Oklahoma Standard' premiere?
The E60 documentary will premiere on April 26 at 10 a.m. on ESPN.
How can I watch 'The Oklahoma Standard' documentary after it airs?
After its initial broadcast, the documentary will be available for on-demand viewing on the ESPN App.
What anniversary coincides with the premiere of the documentary?
The documentary's premiere coincides with the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995.
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In a scene from “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60, Chet Holmgren tours the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum shortly after he was selected with second overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the OKC Thunder.
Former OKC Thunder star Kevin Durant is shown in a scene from “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60. The film, which debuts April 26 on ESPN, chronicles how the rise of the reigning NBA champion Thunder helped Oklahoma City emerge from the shadow of the 1995 bombing.
OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and his wife, Kourtney Kellar Hartenstein, center, tour the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum in a scene from “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60.
Former OKC Thunder star Russell Westbrook appears in “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60.
In a scene from “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60, Chris Paul, left, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tour the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum shortly after they were traded to the OKC Thunder in 2019.
OKC Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appears in “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60.
OKC Thunder General Manager Sam Presti appears in “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60.
1 / 7
See photos of SGA, KD, Russ and more from ESPN's 'The Oklahoma Standard'
In a scene from “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60, Chet Holmgren tours the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum shortly after he was selected with second overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the OKC Thunder.
1 / 7
See photos of SGA, KD, Russ and more from ESPN's 'The Oklahoma Standard'
In a scene from “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60, Chet Holmgren tours the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum shortly after he was selected with second overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the OKC Thunder.
2 / 7
See photos of SGA, KD, Russ and more from ESPN's 'The Oklahoma Standard'
Former OKC Thunder star Kevin Durant is shown in a scene from “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60. The film, which debuts April 26 on ESPN, chronicles how the rise of the reigning NBA champion Thunder helped Oklahoma City emerge from the shadow of the 1995 bombing.
3 / 7
See photos of SGA, KD, Russ and more from ESPN's 'The Oklahoma Standard'
OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and his wife, Kourtney Kellar Hartenstein, center, tour the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum in a scene from “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60.
4 / 7
See photos of SGA, KD, Russ and more from ESPN's 'The Oklahoma Standard'
Former OKC Thunder star Russell Westbrook appears in “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60.
5 / 7
See photos of SGA, KD, Russ and more from ESPN's 'The Oklahoma Standard'
In a scene from “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60, Chris Paul, left, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tour the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum shortly after they were traded to the OKC Thunder in 2019.
6 / 7
See photos of SGA, KD, Russ and more from ESPN's 'The Oklahoma Standard'
OKC Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appears in “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60.
7 / 7
See photos of SGA, KD, Russ and more from ESPN's 'The Oklahoma Standard'
OKC Thunder General Manager Sam Presti appears in “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60.
"We're honored that two different groups wanted to share the story we're teaching in this museum," Watkins said. "They have a different reach, a different audience, both of them, and they're sharing the story with the world."
OKC Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appears in “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60.
OKC Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appears in “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60.
On April 19, 1995, in downtown Oklahoma City, a truck bomb parked outside the Murrah Building detonated at 9:02 a.m., leaving 168 people dead, including 19 children, and injuring more than 680 others.
In the days and years that followed the bombing, the consistent acts of compassion, generosity and neighborly support by Oklahomans in the wake of the tragedy became known as "the Oklahoma Standard."
“As a kid, growing up in the northeast, working on this documentary taught me things you can’t learn in textbooks. You can learn about the events from April 19, 1995 — but until you visit Oklahoma City, you can’t get a sense of the strength, resiliency, and warmth that resonates from the entire community, a beautiful thing born from such a tragic event," said David Seronick, director of E60's "The Oklahoma Standard."
"To then see the deep and true connection that exists between the city and the Thunder is such a remarkable thing to witness and makes this kid from Boston want to root for the Thunder. None of this would have been possible without the help of the Thunder and wonderful people at the memorial.”
Former OKC Thunder star Kevin Durant is shown in a scene from “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60. The film, which debuts April 26 on ESPN, chronicles how the rise of the reigning NBA champion Thunder helped Oklahoma City emerge from the shadow of the 1995 bombing.
Former OKC Thunder star Kevin Durant is shown in a scene from “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60. The film, which debuts April 26 on ESPN, chronicles how the rise of the reigning NBA champion Thunder helped Oklahoma City emerge from the shadow of the 1995 bombing.
Detailing the Thunder’s ties to Oklahoma City’s painful past, the emotional 48-minute documentary "The Oklahoma Standard" — designed to run in an hourlong time slot — is produced by Simon Baumgart with reporting by ESPN senior writer Baxter Holmes. A Choctaw Nation citizen who grew up in Oklahoma, Holmes previously explored the story in an ESPN.com piece published last fall, a few months after the Thunder won the NBA championship.
The ESPN documentary details the horrifying impact of the 1995 bombing, briefly covers the capture and conviction of the bombers and chronicles the building of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. It includes interviews with Watkins, current OKC Mayor David Holt, former Mayor Ron Norick and Thunder fans Kyle Genzer and Sara Sweet, who both lost parents in the bombing.
But most of the film is devoted to the Thunder's move to and success in OKC, delving into General Manager Sam Presti's search for the new NBA city's "origin story," his own initial experiences visiting the National Memorial and his decision to require all new Thunder players and staffers to tour the museum upon their arrival in OKC.
Along with footage of Watkins leading the team's first tour in 2008, plus photos and clips of subsequent players' tours, the film includes interviews with Hartenstein, reigning NBA and NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, All-Star big man Chet Holmgren and Thunder legend Nick Collison.
It also features interviews with former Thunder stars Kevin Durant, who says he's "grateful to be an alumni of the Thunder," and Russell Westbrook, who says he was happy to see "the best fans in sports" get to experience last year's championship season.
"I think when it's done, people have a different outlook on their opinion of Kevin. This place, this story, has made an impact on players since 2008, and we don't always know exactly the impact," Watkins said. "We're thrilled that they remember their time here."
She noted that the ESPN documentary's debut on Sunday, April 26, will coincide with the main events for the annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, which brings thousands of runners, volunteers and visitors to downtown OKC for the "Run to Remember."
Ahead of the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and his Isaiah Hartenstein Foundation hosted a special screening of "The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary about the community's response to the April 19, 1995, tragedy.
Ahead of the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and his Isaiah Hartenstein Foundation hosted a special screening of "The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary about the community's response to the April 19, 1995, tragedy.
Ahead of the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and his Isaiah Hartenstein Foundation hosted a special screening of "The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary about the community's response to the April 19, 1995, tragedy.
Ahead of the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and his Isaiah Hartenstein Foundation hosted a special screening of "The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary about the community's response to the April 19, 1995, tragedy.
Ahead of the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and his Isaiah Hartenstein Foundation hosted a special screening of "The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary about the community's response to the April 19, 1995, tragedy.
Ahead of the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and his Isaiah Hartenstein Foundation hosted a special screening of "The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary about the community's response to the April 19, 1995, tragedy.
Ahead of the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and his Isaiah Hartenstein Foundation hosted a special screening of "The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary about the community's response to the April 19, 1995, tragedy.
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View photos of Isaiah Hartenstein's OKC screening of his new short film
Ahead of the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and his Isaiah Hartenstein Foundation hosted a special screening of "The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary about the community's response to the April 19, 1995, tragedy.
1 / 7
View photos of Isaiah Hartenstein's OKC screening of his new short film
Ahead of the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and his Isaiah Hartenstein Foundation hosted a special screening of "The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary about the community's response to the April 19, 1995, tragedy.
2 / 7
View photos of Isaiah Hartenstein's OKC screening of his new short film
Ahead of the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and his Isaiah Hartenstein Foundation hosted a special screening of "The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary about the community's response to the April 19, 1995, tragedy.
3 / 7
View photos of Isaiah Hartenstein's OKC screening of his new short film
Ahead of the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and his Isaiah Hartenstein Foundation hosted a special screening of "The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary about the community's response to the April 19, 1995, tragedy.
4 / 7
View photos of Isaiah Hartenstein's OKC screening of his new short film
Ahead of the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and his Isaiah Hartenstein Foundation hosted a special screening of "The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary about the community's response to the April 19, 1995, tragedy.
5 / 7
View photos of Isaiah Hartenstein's OKC screening of his new short film
Ahead of the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and his Isaiah Hartenstein Foundation hosted a special screening of "The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary about the community's response to the April 19, 1995, tragedy.
6 / 7
View photos of Isaiah Hartenstein's OKC screening of his new short film
Ahead of the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and his Isaiah Hartenstein Foundation hosted a special screening of "The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary about the community's response to the April 19, 1995, tragedy.
7 / 7
View photos of Isaiah Hartenstein's OKC screening of his new short film
Ahead of the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and his Isaiah Hartenstein Foundation hosted a special screening of "The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary about the community's response to the April 19, 1995, tragedy.
How is Isaiah Hartenstein's 'The Oklahoma Standard' documentary different than ESPN's film?
Although Hartenstein is included in both new documentaries titled "The Oklahoma Standard," the Thunder star was much more involved in the creation of the short film through his Hartenstein Foundation.
The new short documentary immediately immerses people in the chaotic terror of the April 19, 1995, bombing. Within the first 3 1/2 minutes, though, the archival footage shifts to images of Oklahomans delivering food, water and medical supplies, plus waiting in line for hours to donate blood.
OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and his wife, Kourtney Kellar Hartenstein, center, tour the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum in a scene from “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60.
OKC Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein and his wife, Kourtney Kellar Hartenstein, center, tour the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum in a scene from “The Oklahoma Standard,” a new documentary from ESPN’s award-winning storytelling brand E60.
The short film includes interviews with survivors, first responders and family members of those who died in the bombing as well as Hartenstein's first-person account of how his tour of the memorial and learning about the Oklahoma Standard changed his life.
"Coming here, I didn't really know so much about it, and it really helped change my perspective," Hartenstein told The Oklahoman. "That was our biggest goal, just educating people on the Oklahoma Standard, just helping people maybe change their views a little bit on giving back. That's definitely important to me, but then also just showing people how great Oklahoma City is."